In periods of economic hardship, there is a tendency to reduce the number of crew on board fishing vessels. This was not the case on board RYAN ROYALE where no one was positioned at the winch controls at a critical time when the gear was being recovered. There is a potential for accidents when any powerful machinery is in use, unattended and partially unguarded. As is common with this type of winch on this type of vessel, there was no guard at the front of the winch and there was no guard over the incoming wire rope; neither was there any winch control within easy reach. As far as practicable, all moving parts of winches which may present a hazard should be securely guarded or fenced. (Canadian Coast Guard Manual of Safety and Health for Fishermen) Although there are enough examples of initiatives from the fishing community to improve safety awareness it is only very rarely that gear or construction is modified to improve safety and then only on an individual basis. (IInd International Symposium, Safety and Working Conditions Aboard Fishing Vessels) Although the hazards relating to fishing and harvesting gear are evident, much of this equipment is beyond the scope and mandate of Canadian Coast Guard and is therefore unaddressed by that regulatory body, except in periodicals. The lack of direct radio communication between RYAN ROYALE and the helicopter may have been due to incorrect radio operating procedure, distance between the stations, land mass and/or the helicopter being on the ground at Greenwood, N.S.Analysis In periods of economic hardship, there is a tendency to reduce the number of crew on board fishing vessels. This was not the case on board RYAN ROYALE where no one was positioned at the winch controls at a critical time when the gear was being recovered. There is a potential for accidents when any powerful machinery is in use, unattended and partially unguarded. As is common with this type of winch on this type of vessel, there was no guard at the front of the winch and there was no guard over the incoming wire rope; neither was there any winch control within easy reach. As far as practicable, all moving parts of winches which may present a hazard should be securely guarded or fenced. (Canadian Coast Guard Manual of Safety and Health for Fishermen) Although there are enough examples of initiatives from the fishing community to improve safety awareness it is only very rarely that gear or construction is modified to improve safety and then only on an individual basis. (IInd International Symposium, Safety and Working Conditions Aboard Fishing Vessels) Although the hazards relating to fishing and harvesting gear are evident, much of this equipment is beyond the scope and mandate of Canadian Coast Guard and is therefore unaddressed by that regulatory body, except in periodicals. The lack of direct radio communication between RYAN ROYALE and the helicopter may have been due to incorrect radio operating procedure, distance between the stations, land mass and/or the helicopter being on the ground at Greenwood, N.S. The cause of death was due to massive trauma when the deceased's body was crushed between the winch and the incoming wire rope, while the latter was under tension with the weight of the scallop rake, associated gear and scallops. Nobody was stationed at the winch controls while the gear was being hauled back. It was not possible to establish the events immediately prior to the accident, or precisely why the deceased's foot and leg had become trapped. There was no treatment given to the victim while the RYAN ROYALE was heading to port as the crew had little experience in first aid.Findings The cause of death was due to massive trauma when the deceased's body was crushed between the winch and the incoming wire rope, while the latter was under tension with the weight of the scallop rake, associated gear and scallops. Nobody was stationed at the winch controls while the gear was being hauled back. It was not possible to establish the events immediately prior to the accident, or precisely why the deceased's foot and leg had become trapped. There was no treatment given to the victim while the RYAN ROYALE was heading to port as the crew had little experience in first aid. A local physician determined that the cause of death was due to severe trauma. Contributing factors to the incident were lack of an operator at the winch controls, lack of a personnel guard at the after side of the winch and/or some protection between the incoming wire and the attending deck hand and the lack of first aid treatment following the accident.Causes and Contributing Factors A local physician determined that the cause of death was due to severe trauma. Contributing factors to the incident were lack of an operator at the winch controls, lack of a personnel guard at the after side of the winch and/or some protection between the incoming wire and the attending deck hand and the lack of first aid treatment following the accident. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) publication Small Fishing Vessel Safety Manual - TP10038, which is widely distributed among fishing industry encourages fishermen to take a first aid course. The CCG also requires all vessels to carry a proper first aid kit. Further in 1994, CCG issued a Ship Safety Bulletin No.3/94 First Aid Certificates. This bulletin sets out current policy with respect to approved first aid course requirements for ratings and certificated personnel. Since the fatal accident, the owner/operator, on his own initiative, has fitted a guard at the afterside of the winch barrel. This is a robustly-constructed fitting which performs the dual function of support for the guide bar and safety guard for the operator.Safety Action Taken The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) publication Small Fishing Vessel Safety Manual - TP10038, which is widely distributed among fishing industry encourages fishermen to take a first aid course. The CCG also requires all vessels to carry a proper first aid kit. Further in 1994, CCG issued a Ship Safety Bulletin No.3/94 First Aid Certificates. This bulletin sets out current policy with respect to approved first aid course requirements for ratings and certificated personnel. Since the fatal accident, the owner/operator, on his own initiative, has fitted a guard at the afterside of the winch barrel. This is a robustly-constructed fitting which performs the dual function of support for the guide bar and safety guard for the operator.